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North Spokane Corridor
Summary
The first leg of the long-sought North Spokane freeway opened in August 2009 and provides partial achievement of a high-speed, non-stop link from Interstate 90 to the edge of the Spokane urban area, a distance of 10.5 miles. The northern half of the project from Francis Avenue to Wandermere Road on U.S. Highway 395 is scheduled to open in 2011. It will complement the two-lane section opened in 2009, and will have interchange access for the two major North Side highways – U.S. 2 and 395.
Nearly $570 million has been committed to planning, right-of-way and construction so far. That includes a $35 million federal economic stimulus grant awarded in 2010. DOT estimates it will need another $1.6 billion to finish the freeway from Francis to I-90 and could spend another 20 years on the job. By then, the total cost could swell to $3 billion.
As early as 1946, state officials called for building a companion roadway adjacent to Division Street to improve North Side traffic flow. The push for a freeway accelerated in the 1960s and ‘70s, but a route through the Logan and Lidgerwood neighborhoods ran into opposition and stalled.
Selection of the current route on the east side of Hillyard occurred after BNSF Railway closed its facilities there in the 1980s, leaving behind large hunks of little-used property. Opposition to the current project has largely been limited to residents in the path of the freeway and a handful of activists.
Proponents see the freeway as means to increase efficiency of the region’s roads, allowing freight and general traffic to move through the area more quickly and creating jobs and economic growth in the process.
Summary written by staff writer Mike Prager
More information
Latest updates in this topic
Washington transportation package dies in Legislature
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Senate proposal raises gas tax
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North Spokane Corridor prospects bleak, legislators say
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Senate plan would boost North Spokane Corridor funding, gas tax
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Gov. Jay Inslee pushes transportation plan
Gov. Jay Inslee toured Spokane on Wednesday, urging state lawmakers to craft a new transportation bill that would include money for the North Spokane Corridor. “I think we ought to …
Inslee calls for action on transportation bill
Gov. Jay Inslee toured Spokane on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to write a new transportation bill that would include money for the North Spokane Corridor.
Washington Senate tour lets public share transportation priorities
Completing the North Spokane Corridor from Francis Avenue to Interstate 90 remains a top priority for local elected leaders seeking state funding for the project. On Wednesday, two state senators …
Spin Control: State’s effort at tolling is a long, tortuous road
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Bidding opens soon for next stage of corridor
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House transportation budget passes
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Corridor is in transportation plans
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Money would be used to extend North Spokane corridor
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Spin Control: Lobbying season kicks off in Olympia
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McMorris Rodgers, Cowan share views during debate
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Getting There: Group aims to build museum at Felts Field
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Politicians hail progress on corridor
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Former railroad span now links office park, Centennial Trail
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Transportation chief visits, cites North Spokane Corridor
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North corridor receives funding
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Inslee, McKenna square off at Bing
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Getting There: Northern corridor segment to open
The sweeping bridges over U.S. Highway 395 north of Wandermere will come to life with traffic on Wednesday with the opening of the northernmost segment of the North Spokane Corridor. …
Getting There: EWU students’ device to help investigate wrecks
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Getting There: Work on second corridor circle begins
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Getting There: Overpass freeway project’s next step
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Getting There: U.S. 195, others will get funding priority
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Getting There: Upgraded Keller Ferry expected to run in 2013
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Getting There: Valley seeks input on redesigning Park Road
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